Congressman Huffman visits Arcata to discuss local veterans fisheries program

Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) visited Arcata's Janes Creek Meadows Park Saturday afternoon to meet with veterans working in a pilot fisheries project developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"I'm surprised to see that a veteran workforce has never been utilized in this way before," Huffman told representatives from the NOAA, the U.S. Forest Service, federal and state Fish and Wildlife Departments and the California Conservation Corps.

According to a release, the pilot project -- launched in 2012 -- aims to help veterans transition to the civilian workforce by training them with skills in environmental restoration such as identifying habitat types and conducting topographical surveys.

US Forest Service fisheries biologist and veteran mentor Leroy Cyr told Huffman he couldn't think of a better disciplined workforce.

"Not many people are willing to hike six miles up a mountain," Cyr said. "Their willingness to do service, especially in natural resources, is just incredible."

California Conservation Corps Fortuna Center Director Larry Notheis said the corps has had programs for veterans working in fire prevention for years, but this is the first application in fisheries.

"Fourteen veterans have been recruited since we started," Notheis said. "One of the keys here is to create the job pathway."

U.S. Army veteran Nathan Stalioraitis said the program makes him feel confident with his resume.

"I feel like whatever I do after this will feel like more of a career and less like a job," he said.

Marine Corps veteran Bryan Souza said he hopes to work and attend college in Alaska when he leaves the program.

The veterans fisheries program is currently aiding in the Janes Creek restoration project by removing invasive species of reeds that have constricted the flow of water over the years. The hope is one day coho salmon will swim freely through Arcata.

State Fish and Wildlife fisheries biologist and veteran mentor Seth Ricker said an advantage to the program is that staff can easily train veterans who are happy to be doing field work.

"Pulling weeds out of a stream bed really is just brute force," Ricker said. He added that while he loves the program, it always ultimately comes down to how they are going to fund it.

Notheis said funding technically ends on June 30, but the CCC will continue the program due to its success.

Huffman agreed that the program is worth having and thanked his staff for introducing him to the team behind it.

"When I see salmon flopping around in there, I'll think about your good work," Huffman said. "I want to be there on record twisting the arms to make a program like this happen."